Sex education through the stages of life
Sex education for every stage: childhood, adolescence, adulthood and later life, sexual rights, contraception and the history of sex education.
Sex education runs through our whole life and changes at every stage. According to UNESCO and the WHO, comprehensive sexuality education starts in childhood with age-appropriate content (the names of body parts, privacy and who to ask for help) and does not bring forward sexual activity. Here you will find our pages for families and educators on childhood and adolescence, and on adulthood and later life, sexual rights, contraception and the history of sex education. For the basic concepts, see the definitions.
History of sex educationThe history of sex education: from taboo and hygiene campaigns to the first school law (Sweden, 1955), the WAS Declaration and UNESCO's 2009 and 2018 guidance.Read →
Main contraceptive methodsContraceptive methods compared: typical vs perfect use (WHO, CDC), barrier, hormonal, IUDs, permanent, emergency contraception time limits, STI protection.Read →
Sex education and sexual rightsWhat sexual and reproductive rights are: the WAS Declaration (Valencia 1997, revised 2014), Cairo 1994 and sex education as a human right, with key facts.Read →
Sex education for childrenAge-by-age sex education for children, based on UNESCO and WHO: body names, privacy, consent, online safety and abuse prevention. A guide for parents.Read →
Sex education in adolescenceWhat teenagers need to know about their bodies, consent, STIs and contraception, what the evidence says (WHO, UNESCO) and how parents can talk about it.Read →
Sex education in adulthoodSex education in adulthood: talking with your partner, consent, desire, contraception, STI prevention and testing, and when to get help, with WHO figures.Read →
Sex education in later lifeSex education in later life: menopause, the andropause myth, health and medicines, contraception until 55, STIs and intimacy, backed by current evidence.Read →
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): an overviewSexually transmitted infections (STIs or STDs): why the name changed, the most common ones, how they spread, prevention, testing and when to see a doctor.Read →
The child as a sexual beingWhat it means that children are sexual beings, according to WHO and UNESCO: development, curiosity, privacy and protection. A guide for parents and teachers.Read →
The concept of sex educationWhat sex education is according to UNESCO and WHO: definition, the 8 key concepts of comprehensive sexuality education, its aims, the evidence and common myths.Read →